Mosaic making and guessing game



June- 29, 1965 J. J. KROPINSKI MOSAIC MAKING AND GUESSING GAME Filed Aug. 15, 1961 Ill INVENTOR. J'OHN I KRCPINSKI ARTHUR A- MARCH ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,191,937 MQSAIC MAKING AND GUESSING GAME John J. Kropinsini, 45-66 39th Place, Long Island City, N.Y. Filed Aug. 15, 1961, Ser. No. 131,637 6 Claims. ('Ci. 2'73--13tl) This invention relates to mosaic making and guessing game devices wherein playing pieces of geometric form are adapted to be placed on a playing field or board, and more particularly to games of this type, in which grouping of the pieces is utilized in the play, as distinguished from the disposition or placement of separate or individual pieces. 7

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved game device of the above general type, wherein interest is aroused and maintained by virtue of composite figures, designs or patterns of various kinds being utilized as a part of the playing scheme.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved game device as above set forth, in which there is possible virtually an unlimited number and variety of figures and the like, thereby to avoid monotony and provide for a maximum degree of skill and ingenuity.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved game device in accordance with the foregoing, wherein creative activity and also guessing of the figures are involved in the playing scheme, thereby to give full play and a free hand to the imagination.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved game device having the above characteristics and advantages, and which is nevertheless simple in construction and economical to fabricate and produce.

Other features and advantages Will hereinafter appear.

-In the accompanying drawings, similar characters of reference are used to designate like components throughout the several views, wherein: a

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of the game device as provided by the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the playing board or playing field of the game device, showing the multiplicity of holder devices, which are arranged in both rows and columns.

The present improved game device as illustrated in the figures comprises, in combination, a game board which is designated generally by the numeral 10, the said board being constituted of .amultiplicity of holders which form a playing field or area.

In FIG. 2 the playing area is indicated generally by the numeral 12, this being shown as having a square configuration with right angles at the four corners. The individual holders are constituted as pockets or recesses '14 disposed in the board, said holders being arranged in a plurality of rows :16 and also a plurality of columns 18. The columns is are numbered from 1 through 10, whereas the rows are slightly differently numbered. The first row =16 is not given any number at all, the second row 16 is numbered 11, the third row 16 is numbered 2 and so on up to the number 9. By such organization, it may be readily seen that the one hundred holders 14 may have specific numbers from one to a hundred. Starting with the uppermost row, the holders 1-4 from left-to-right would be numbered from I to 10. Continuing to the second row 16 (which is also designated by the numeral 1) the first holder starting at the left would be #11, the second holder #12, the third holder #13 and so on up to 20. In the third row, the first holder would be #21, the second holder from the left #22, and so on. Accordingly, each holder '14 on the playing board would have a particular number, and the players could easily designate any one specific holder by its number, by observing the column and row numbers as given in FIG. 2.

The playing board Iii may be advantageously constituted of a molded plastic construction, whereby the hold-' ers 14 will be constituted as integral portions of the board, these being in the form of recesses or nests separated by straight horizontal partitions 20 and vertical partitions 22. As shown, the partitions *20 and 22 intersect and are also preferably formed to be integral with each other.

The game device further comprises a multiplicity of playing pieces of different shapes and colors, which are adapted to be mounted on or held in the said holders 14, either singly or else in groups whereby a selective disposition of said playing pieces on the. holders at different locations on the board may be arranged to constitute a composite figure. In FIG. 1 such a composite figure is illustrated, being in the form of a toy man. The playing pieces may be carried in storage areas arranged around the periphery or border of the playing field or area 10, such storage areas being in the form of shallow open boxes 26. The playing area it) may be bordered or outlined by a low, square partition 28 as shown in PIGS. 1 and 2.

Preferably, the playing pieces are in the form of small, thin blocks or slabs of various colors. Triangular play-' ing pieces Sti are provided, circular pieces 32, square playing pieces 34, rectangular playing pieces 36, and semicircular playing pieces 38. Preferably also some of the. playing pieces are provided with centrally located dots, such as the dots 40 illustrated in :FIG. 1. The square playing pieces 34 are adapted to be loosely received in the holder nests '14, this being also true of the circular playing pieces 32. Either one or two of the triangular playing pieces 30 may be accommodated in any one holder 14, and either one or two of the small rectangular playing pieces 36 or either one or two of the semi-circular playing pieces 38 may be accommodated in any one holder.

It will now be readily understood that the playing pieces 30 through 88 may be variously disposed on the playing board and differently arranged not only as to their particular locations, but also with regard to their configuration and color, thereby to simulate various figures, designs or patterns. An infinitely great number of such figures or designs may be made, using the playing pieces, as will be readily understood. Variations in coloring may be employed in the figure, the playing pieces having the dots 4i! may be used to simulate eyes, etc. The number of different figures is only limited by the imagination and creativeness of the players.

' The playing pieces 30 through 38 may be constituted of either wood, plastic or any other suitable substance, as will be readily understood.

Each player is given one of the game sets complete, such as is illustrated in FIG. 1, with a full complement of ploying pieces of various configurations and colors;

and including a single playing board or area 10.

Various games may be played, utilizing the scheme of forming figures, designs or patterns on the playing area by utilization of the various playing pieces, having regard not only for the colors thereof but as well as the shapes, and also the specific locations where the pieces are to be disposed on the playing field.

One game of a simple nature, involving groups of the said playing pieces, which would normally be played by two players, is a follows: One player starts at either of opposite corners on the board 10, placing one of his playing pieces in the corner holder. The-other player then places 'a playing piece in one of the remaining two (alternate) corners. The players take turns putting down their pieces, which would preferably although not necessarily be placed next to previously positioned pieces. The objective would be for one player to obtain an unbroken or continuous line of pieces, connecting his two corner squares or holders. If the other or opposing player was successful in interposing at any place in such line an opposing playing piece, then the first player in being unsuccessful in completing his line, would not win the game.

Another game involving groups of the playing pieces, wherein predetermined figures or patterns are involved in the playing scheme, would be in accordance with the following rules:

Where there are to be only two players, one player may be designated as the lead player A, and the remaining player would be player B. Each player is given equal placing and scoring turns, and in consequence it is immaterial as to which player goes first.

The lead player A is given a pad of graph paper having 100 squares similar to the squares or holders 14 on the playing board 10. Without acquainting the other player, the lead player draws on the graph paper a picture of something he has in mind, trying to make the picture conform as closely as possible to the shape and color of a possible combination of playing pieces which might be disposed on the playing board 19. The lead player A conceals this picture and graph from player B, who is not shown such picture until the game is fully completed.

Play now begins with player B calling out any number from 1 to 100, representing a square 14 on the playing board. If such called number is contained in the design of the picture which has been conceived and sketched by the lead player A, then the lead player announces this and further indicates the color and shape of the playing piece in his picture. The lead player also puts such playing piece as designated, on the proper holder of his playing board, and player B does likewise. Player B now guesses another number, and so on. If any number which is called is not contained in the design of the picture, then the lead player indicates this and player B puts a single square piece, which preferably has the same color as the playing board, in the square or holder which he has called. The lead player does not do likewise, but only puts out pieces to make up the picture or design, when the numbers of the squares are correctly called to justify such placement.

In the event that player Bs choice of a square is incorrect, this scores a point for player A. The placement of a square by player B when he calls an incorrect placement, will keep track of this point square.

- During the play, if the correct picture is completed, the lead player A must indicate this to his opponent, announcing the picture is finished.

As the play continues, if player B thinks that he can guess what the picture is which player A has sketched on his graph paper, he is given three tries or guesses. He may make these three guesses at any time while the play is proceeding. If player B wishes to guess a picture at any time he says so, and lead player A places a square piece having the same color as his playing board on one edge of the board to keep track of the number of guesses made by player in scoring, each incorrect guess counts five points for player A.

If a guess is wrong, the play continues until player B feels that he can again guess the picture, at an advanced stage of the play. It is to the advantage of player B to guess the picture, as this will end the game if it is guessed correctly. This stops the lead player from receiving the one point credit for each incorrectly guessed square during the play.

. If the three picture guesses are incorrect, the play continues by calling out the numbered squares until finally the picture is completed. Now the lead player A adds up his score, counting one point for each incorrect number called which did not lie in the picture or design, and counting five points for each incorrect guess made by player B in attempting to identify the picture. If after the picture has been completed on the playing board B cannot still identify the picture, he is given three more guesses for this purpose. If after the third guess he has still not identified the picture, then player A reveals what the picture is, and shows player B the graph paper with the sketch. Each of these last three guesses, when incorrect, counts 10 points for player A. Player A marks his final score on the graph paper which he used to make the picture, this being his record for the game.

If the picture which was made by player A was not as close as possible, in shape and color, to the real thing (which might occur if he desired to deliberately confusc his opponent) player B can claim it to be a falsified representation. If it is actually such a representation, player A receives no score for his turn of play. In the game where two players are engaged, each player makes two pictures after making turns, for a total of four pictures, in order to have a complete round. At the end of such round, the player with the highest total score wins the game.

Rules for playing with three or four players are similar, with the exception that the play alternates from one player to the next player, each guessing a number in turn. A player at any time has an option to try and identify the picture, but has only one guess at each turn of play. If a player is incorrect in guessing the picture, he still can call a number of the square on the board, for placement of a playing piece. Preferably where three or four players engage in the game, each is given a total of only two guesses as to what the picture actually is. Also, after completion of the picture, a total of only two additional guesses is given each player, instead of three guesses where only two players participate. The scoring of points is the same as indicated above where two players engage in the game.

In the case of three or four players, each player makes one picture in rotation, which completes the game. That is, if there are three players there would be a total of three pictures, four players a total of four pictures, and so fourth. At the end of the round, the player having the highest score wins the game.

Any logical picture may be chosen. As an example, pictures of a car, dog, house, or a scene having several objects such as a boat with a moon or sun, a car and garage, and so forth may be utilized. Numbers or letters may be used. The age of a player or the initials of a player may be used. A comical picture may be chosen, such as a glass with a straw in it, or a jelly sandwich or false teeth, whatever comes to the imagination of the players.

It may now be seen from the foregoing that I have provided a novel and improved game device which is extremely simple in its construction, and which involves the placement of the playing pieces on a game board in a manner such that the groupings of the pieces are utilized in the scheme of play, rather than merely the placement of individual pieces at separate or isolated locations. The game device gives full play to the imagination and creativity or ingenuity of the players, and involves guessing as well as physical activity, by which the interest of the players is maintained at a high pitch. Often, unusual designs are produced, which are quite surprising to the opponents.

The game device may be economically fabricated of plastic or any other suitable material, whereby each player may have a complete set comprising a playing board, storage places, and a full complement of playing pieces.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. A mosaic forming and guessing game device comprising, in combination, a game board constituted of a multiplicity of holders defined as recesses formed in said board and forming a playing field or area, said holders being arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns whereby selectively designated holders may be representative of composite figures or patterns; means for distinctly identifying each of said recesses and a multiplicity of playing pieces of different shapes, adapted to be mounted on said holders either singly or else in groups in a manner to prohibit shifting of the piece or pieces therein, whereby a selective disposition of said pieces on the holders at different locations on the board will form the said composite figures as conceived by one player and randomly guessed by another player.

2. A game device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the playing pieces have various, different colors.

3. A game device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the playing pieces comprise thin blocks, and wherein the holders are constituted as pockets adapted to receive and confine the edges of said blocks disposed in the respective pockets.

4. A game device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the playing pieces have geometric shapes, and wherein the holders are of geometric configuration and conform at least in part with the geometric shapes of the pieces.

5. A mosaic forming and guessing game device comprising a game board having a multiplicity of closely spaced recessed holders to form a playing field, each of said holders being arranged in a plurality of rows and each of the holders in adjacent rows being aligned in columns, a digit identifying each of said columns, and a digit identifying each of said rows but the first row so that any of said recessed holders may be identified by the coordinate digits identifying the respective columns and rows, a multiplicity of playing pieces of variable shapes, each of said shapes being adaptable of being received either singly or in groups within each of said recessed holder-s, each of said pieces being sized so that an edge of said pieces is disposed contiguous to the walls of said recessed holders so as to maintain said pieces in fixed position within said holders whereby said pieces located by one player define a composite mosaic configuration and said configuration being determined by another player by random selection of said holders.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 and including means defining a plurality of shallow open top boxes circumscribing the periphery of said playing area, said boxes serving as a container for each of the playing pieces of like shapes.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 887,342 5/08 MCLane. 1,087,207 2/14 Austin. 2,055,159 9/36 Scofield 273l36 X 1,932,524 10/33 Jackson 273 1,988,301 1/35 Coflin. 2,055,159 9/36 Scofield 273-136 X 2,058,079 10/36 Heath 273130 2,757,934 8/56 Dunbar a 273136 X DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner.

JOHN M. HORAN, Examiner. 

1. A MOSAIC FORMING AND GUESSING GAME DEVICE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A GAME BOARD CONSTITUTED OF A MULTIPLICITY OF HOLDERS DEFINED AS RECESSES FORMED IN SAID BOARD AND FORMING A PLAYING FIELD OR AREA, SAID HOLDERS BEING ARRANGED IN A PLURALITY OF ROWS AND A PLURALITY OF COLUMNS WHEREBY SELECTIVELY DESIGNATED HOLDERS MAY BE REPRESENTATIVE OF COMPOSITE FIGURES OR PATTERNS; MEANS FOR DISTINCTLY IDENTIFYING EACH OF SAID RECESSES AND A MULTIPLICITY OF PLAYING PIECES OF DIFFERENT SHAPES, ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ON SAID HOLDERS EITHER SINGLY OR ELSE IN GROUPS IN A MANNER TO PROHIBIT SHIFTING OF THE PIECE OR PIECES THEREIN, WHEREBY A SELECTIVE DISPOSITION OF SAID PIECES ON THE HOLDERS AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS ON THE BOARD WILL FORM THE SAID COMPOSITE FIGURES AS CONCEIVED BY ONE PLAYER AND RANDOMLY GUESSED BY ANOTHER PLAYER. 